This procumbent annual or short-lived perennial of disturbed places is widespread across North America, but it is often considered adventive in more eastern regions (Cr, W). In 1914, Gm noted: "observed only along the Ohio River." It is still concentrated in counties along the river. V. bracteata is a variable species (2n = 14 and 28), and hybrids are expected with other species (Cr).